Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, USMC (Ret.)

Sergeant Major Kent served 36 years as a United States Marine until retiring as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in June 2011. Sergeant Major Kent has served at numerous levels as a Noncommissioned Officer and Staff Noncommissioned Officer. Some of his billets include: Drill Instructor, Chief Instructor at Noncommissioned Officers/Tactics School, Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company First Sergeant, and numerous Carbondale and currently enrolled in Trident University International in the MBA Program. After serving 36 years as a United States Marine, Sergeant Major Kent is currently the Director, Veteran Support, and Development Office for CACI International Incorporated. His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Gold Star in lieu of second award, a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is the recipient of the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for inspirational leadership and the recipient of the Marine Corps League’s “Military Order of the Iron Mike” award. Sergeant Major Kent holds a Bachelor's Degree in workforce education and development (magna cum laude) from Southern Illinois University.